Rob Portman

In the following viewpoint, Rob Portman argues that the federal government is to blame for the growing problem of teenage drug use. He contends that, instead of reducing the extent of teen drug use, the actions taken by the federal government in the early 1990s worsened the problem. Due to this failure in national leadership, according to Portman, the problem must be dealt with at the community level. He maintains that members of Congress should encourage their constituents to work together on this issue. Portman is a Republican congressman from Ohio.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to the author, what actions taken by President Bill Clinton led to a rise in teenage drug use"

2. Why...